The ISU soccer team will try to use the experience gained in their season-opening loss to Illinois to help get the team its first win this weekend.

Coach Wendy Dillinger said she saw plenty of positives the team can use this weekend as they travel to Chicago for a match Friday against the DePaul Blue Demons before coming back to take on in-state rival Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

“I expect us to come out and battle like we did in the Illinois game,” Dillinger said. “We had plenty of opportunities to, but we didn’t take advantage of them.”

The Cyclones kept the game within a goal before the 15th-ranked Illini put the game out of reach with five minutes remaining.

“We had an opportunity to tie the game earlier, when Leslie [Hill] scored but was called for offsides,” Dillinger said.

Junior forward Lauren Odino said the team is looking to build off the Illinois game.

“It was a confidence builder. We came out strong, but the four shots were not what we would like to see from our offense.”

The weekend, however, wasn’t all positive.

One of the biggest problems for the Cyclones has been consistent play carrying over to Sunday games. After a strong effort against the Illini, the Cyclones fell flat against a Pittsburgh team that continually got behind the ISU defense.

“I expect to see the same type of game from [DePaul], since they run the same formation as Pittsburgh,” Dillinger said. “We’ve changed the backfield around to limit the quick scores for this weekend.”

The team will log more than 16 hours of traveling this weekend, which could take a toll on an already tired team. However, Dillinger said she does not think it will be an issue.

“The girls will get to sleep in their own beds and be closer to home for Sunday’s game against UNI, and I think that will help with the intensity we want to come out with,” Dillinger said.

In order to come out with that intensity, the Cyclones will have to improve on last week’s energy level.

“We were tired going into the game against Pittsburgh,” Odino said. “Also, the fact that we only had four subs off the bench made it tough.”

Substitute problems have arisen because of multiple injuries.

Senior defender and captain Amanda Purple was the latest Cyclone to hit the injury list, after suffering a high ankle sprain, which could keep her out for four to six weeks.

“Fitness and injuries definitely contributed to Sunday’s loss,” Dillinger said. “I don’t think we were as fit during the preseason, and that hurt us Sunday.”

The good news for the Cyclones is both the Blue Demons and Panthers are winless this season. But the team is not overlooking anyone.

“Both teams will come out and play with intensity,” Dillinger said. “We must continue to move the ball and push the tempo in order to succeed.”

Not looking back at previous results is a goal the players will use to move the team in the right direction.

“We are going to forget the last two games and move on to this weekend,” Odino said. “We are not coming home with another weekend of losses.”

The Cyclones will work hard during practice and prepare for what they know will be two tough games.

“Right now, working on finishing plays on offense and keeping the intensity is the most important thing,” Odino said.